Nepotian

Augustus 350

 
On hearing of the murder of Constans and the usurpation of the title by his former general Magnentius, the citizens of Rome named Nepotian emperor instead. He was a nephew of Constantius II who, because of his very young age, escaped the massacre of his family some twelve years before. By holding out on Magnentius the city hoped to cut off key supplies while Constantius and his armies hurried from Persia to meet the threat of Magnentius. Unfortunately for Nepotian and his fellow rebels, Magnentius quickly set out to plug this loophole and was able to enter Rome with his own army and then find and execute him. Because Nepotian ruled for only a month what few coins were struck in his name are highly sought after by collectors today.

Well, here‟s one emperor likely to never grace your collection. Sorry. You can thank the fact that his coin-striking days lasted all of three weeks or so (if that). He rebelled on June 3, 350 and was handed off to the executioner on the 30th of the same month. We may probably assume that the mint in Rome took a few days to even begin issuing coins with his name so that gives one pause as to the meager amount of time left to make a handful of coins. And let‟s not forget this was a millennium and a half ago!
 
Nevertheless, if shelling out ten grand or so on a coin is not distressing you only need wait til the next one shows up at auction. If past history is any indication this seems to happen about once every other year or two.

Busts:

1) Bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
2) Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right

 

Obverses:

1) DN IVL NEPOTIANVS PF AVG
2) FL NEP CONSTANTINVS AVG
3) FL POP NEPOTIANVS PF AVG

 

Reverses:

 
1) GLORIA ROMANORVM
2) VRBS ROMA

 

Types:

 
1) Nepotian riding hosre right, spearing enemy; star above
2) Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and spear.

 

Mint:

 
1) Roma

 
AE2 Reference(s)
 
1) B1, O3, R1, T1 Exe: R` RIC VIII 200, L 643
2) B1, O3, R2, T2 Exe: R` RIC VIII 202, L 645

 
AE3 
 
3) B2, O2, R2, T2 Exe: R` RIC VIII 203, L 644

 
 

Nepotian Busts / Nepotian Types